The New Kindle Paperwhite

I’m a big fan of my Kindle. I upgraded to the Paperwhite last year, and while I still miss the physical page-turn buttons, the backlit screen is really handy. I can easily read in bed without bothering my wife.

Today, Amazon has announced a new Paperwhite. Available for pre-order starting at $119, the new Kindle promises better contrast, thanks to a re-worked e-ink display and lighting subsystem. I will admit that my Paperwhite isn’t the sharpest display in my house, and this should help. The processor is also faster, yet the new Kindle boasts the same “weeks” of batter life as its predecessor.

The software has also been re-visited. “Kindle Page Flip” gives users a nice way to scan through a book, complete with a thumbnail preview of the page or chapter. Footnotes now show in-line as pop-overs and both GoodreadsFreetime support will be added via a software update this fall.

The new Kindle starts at $119, with a $139 version that removes Amazon’s “Special Offers” screens. A leather case can be picked up for another $39.